Aecom team wins Old Oak masterplan

A team led by Aecom and featuring Asif Khan, BIG and Wilkinson Eyre has won the contest to masterplan the transformation of Old Oak Common in west London.

The team has beaten a string of high-profile names including Allies & Morrison, Arup, Grimshaw and a pairing between Farrells and Heatherwick Studio.

The contract is expected to begin later this month following the end of the standstill period next week.

Aecom will be required to produce several masterplan options for the 650 ha site by this autumn for selection.

The site west of Paddington will be redeveloped over the next 10 years and has the potential to deliver 24,000 new homes in Old Oak and 1,500 new homes on the adjoining Park Royal industrial estate.

The team will eventually secure outline planning permission for the area and deliver development briefs for key sites, creating a clear context for neighbouring developers and landowners. The preferred design option is expected to be released in early 2018.

The scheme was tendered by Transport for London on behalf of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC). Around 70 per cent of the land – currently mostly factories and railway sidings – is publicly owned and will be transferred to the OPDC.

PLP with Arup and West 8 has already drawn up a masterplan for the regeneration zone’s largest private landowner, Cargiant. The 18ha scheme will include 7,000 homes, schools and parks.

A new High Speed 2 and Crossrail interchange station at Old Oak Common is planned to open in 2026.